What Trump's new chief of staff Miller stands for

Stephen Miller has been President Trump's new chief of staff since Friday. The 41-year-old is considered a right-wing hardliner and the brains behind the strict immigration policy. What signal is Trump sending with the PE?

FAQ Personnel in the White House What Trump's new chief of staff Miller stands for As of: November 7th, 2026 • 3:57 p.m

Stephen Miller grew up in a Jewish home; his grandparents came to the USA as refugees. After graduating from high school, he studied political science at Duke University in North Carolina.

While he was still at school, Miller began to develop conservative views, which he publicly represented during his school and college years, for example through contributions to radio stations and in newspapers.

As a student, he publicly protested against the use of Spanish-language announcements at school, as the research platform EBSCO reports. As a student, he gained media attention when he defended several players on a lacrosse team who were accused of sexually assaulting a black woman. The charges against the players were later dismissed as unfounded.

After graduating from the university, Miller worked for, among others, Republican Representative Michele Bachmann and Senator Jeff Sessions, who was appointed attorney general during President Donald Trump's first term in his administration.

In 2016, Miller joined Trump's campaign team. He wrote the then presidential candidate's speeches and advised Trump on immigration policy and the economy.

After Trump's first term ended, Miller founded the organization America First Legal in 2021. The organization opposes left-wing projects and institutions, including projects promoting equality and diversity. Many of the goals cited by America Legal are similar to those of Trump's MAGA ("Make America Great Again") movement.

After his re-election, Trump named Miller deputy chief of staff in the White House in 2025. As a result of the bitter defeats for the Republicans in the midterms, a change finally took place - the previous chief of staff, Susie Wiles, lost her position and Miller was promoted.

The post of chief of staff is considered one of the most important in the White House. He controls access to the president, coordinates ministries and helps decide which political projects end up on Trump's desk.

The 41-year-old is considered a right-wing hardliner and exceptionally loyal to President Trump. The president himself praised Miller as one of his "most trusted advisors" and a "great fighter."

Miller is said to have been particularly influential in shaping Trump's strict migration policy. He is said to be behind or have influenced many measures, including the separation of migrant families at the US border and the termination of almost all US refugee programs.

Miller's influence is also suspected behind the harsh raids by the immigration authorities ICE. He also sought to restrict the constitutional birthright in the USA, but the highest US court put a stop to the government.

Miller's foreign policy views are also extreme. In January, he explained in a CNN interview that Greenland belongs to the USA - and that he does not believe in a rules-based world order. "We live in a world where you can talk a lot about international pleasantries, but the real world is determined by strength, violence and power," Miller said at the time. "These have been the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time."

An end to Trumpism overnight is unrealistic, says political scientist Jan-Werner Müller. more

On the one hand, the change makes it clear that Trump wants to stick to his political course and his MAGA guidelines even after the midterms and the losses for his Republicans.

In the midterm elections, the Democrats were able to secure a majority in both the US Senate and the House of Representatives. The Democrats even scored triumphs in Republican strongholds like Kansas and Texas.

Within the party, the outcome of the midterms also sparked a debate within the Republican ranks about a realignment of content. Trump is trying to put a stop to this and signal power, control and strength with his decision for Miller.

Miller's move from deputy to senior chief of staff is also seen by political experts as a declaration of war on the Democrats. The publicist Chris Whipple even spoke of a "declaration of war" that made it clear that Trump refused to work with the future Democratic majority in Congress.

Hardliner Miller follows Chief of Staff Wiles - so Trump is heading on a confrontation course with the Democrats. more

With massive and clear criticism. Democratic U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described Miller as a "dangerous xenophobe and ruthless extremist who has American blood on his hands." Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer called the new chief of staff the "architect of the most barbaric, inhumane policies of this administration." Democrats would “oppose him every step of the way.”

MP Adam Smith also denounced the personnel change. "This shows that Trump did not understand what happened on Election Day: a rejection across the board of Trump, his MAGA movement and their policies," said Smith.

But there are also critical voices from the Republicans. Republican Rep. Don Bacon told ABC that Miller's migration course was partly responsible for the Republicans' election defeat. And Stephen Miller was behind it. “So: not a wise personnel decision,” concluded Bacon.

After the midterms, the left wing of the Democrats sees themselves strengthened, but top Democrats in Congress are opting for a moderate course. more

Trump has so far left it open whether other positions will be filled. In an interview with CBS News published on Friday, he said only that he would "maybe make a few changes" in his government, but would not yet say who would have to go.

Nevertheless, there is speculation in the US media about who might still have to worry about losing their position or who might even be considering a change themselves. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are mentioned. While the latter had repeatedly rejected the speculation as unfounded, Vance surprisingly published a critical post on the

The effects of the Iran war, such as the increased prices for energy and food, had already been reflected in the ever-decreasing poll numbers for Trump and his Republicans before the midterms. One reason why there are now rumors in the media about the political future of Defense Minister Pete Hegseth. However, Trump publicly supported his defense secretary even after the midterms.

With information from Carsten Kühntopp, ARD Washington, and material from the news agencies dpa and AFP